Abstract: An apparatus for transferring decorative rigid bodies from a carrier strip onto a substrate includes a reciprocator adapted for individually bringing the decorative rigid bodies into contact with the substrate, and a tractor mechanism operatively coupled to the reciprocator such that an outward motion of the reciprocator is registered with transportation of the carrier strip such that one of the decorative rigid bodies is brought between the reciprocator and the substrate. The carrier strip has pockets accommodating decorative rigid bodies, and right and left side rims, the right and/or left side rims having engagement features adapted to receive one or more bosses of the tractor mechanism of the apparatus. A method is performed for transferring the decorative rigid bodies from the carrier strip onto the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus (400) for transferring decorative rigid bodies (18) each having at least one flat side (24) from a carrier strip (10) carrying the decorative rigid bodies (18) onto a substrate (60) is disclosed. The apparatus (400) comprises a holding fixture (32c), such as a holding fixture (32c), for accommodating a part of the carrier strip (10) with the decorative rigid bodies (18), a reel (34c) for receiving a part of the carrier strip (10) from which the decorative rigid bodies (18) have been transferred to the substrate (60) and a reciprocator (410), such as a hammer or a plunger, located at a position between the holding fixture (32c) and the reel (34c) as measured along the carrier strip (10), and adapted for individually bringing the decorative rigid bodies (18) into contact with the substrate (60).

Abstract: A cartridge for accommodating a transfer strip carrying an array of decorative bodies each having at least one flat surface comprises an uptake reel carrying a first portion of the transfer strip without decorative bodies; a supply reel carrying a second portion of the transfer strip with the array of decorative bodies; and at least one guide reel for guiding the transfer strip from the supply reel to the uptake reel along a strip pathway, wherein the guide reel is positioned between the uptake reel and the supply reel along the strip pathway, wherein the uptake reel and the supply reel are parallel and non-coplanar.

Abstract: A decorative rigid body supply arrangement comprises a supply strip which includes a plurality of through holes extending from the upper side to the lower side and spaced apart in the direction of elongation; a plurality of decorative rigid bodies received in the through holes, wherein each through hole has an inner periphery which is in contact with an upper portion of an outer periphery of the decorative rigid body received in the through hole; and one or more elastic tapes adhered to the lower side of the supply strip, wherein the one or more elastic tapes provide at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is registered with at least one of the through holes, wherein a periphery of the one or more elastic tapes holds the decorative rigid body within the through hole.